jittery
JIT-er-ee
/ˈdʒɪt.ər.i/
Nervous, jumpy, or suffering from physical shakiness.
Describes restless physical energy or body tremors caused by anxiety, excitement, or excess caffeine.
The story behind the word. The word 'jitters' emerged in American slang during the 1920s to describe the shaky, twitchy movements of dancers doing lively Jazz dances or people suffering from acute nerves. It quickly became the standard informal adjective 'jittery'.
Word relationships
- jumpy: Jumpy implies reacting easily to sudden sounds, while jittery emphasizes ongoing trembling or twitchiness.
- edgy: Edgy implies irritability alongside nervousness.
- composed: Calm, steady, and in full control of bodily movements.
- tranquil: Free from physical or mental disturbance.
Commonly confused with
- glitchy: Glitchy refers to technical electronic malfunctions, not physical human nervousness.
Word family
- jitters (noun): A state of extreme nervousness or physical shaking.
Collocations
- feel jittery
- jittery markets
- jittery nerves
Idioms & expressions
- get the jitters
- have butterflies in one's stomach
Example sentences
- "Drinking three espresso shots made him feel incredibly jittery during the interview." Daily Life
- "Stock markets remained jittery ahead of the central bank's announcement on interest rates." Financial News
Memory hook
JITTERY sounds like JITTERBUG—dancing around uncontrollably because of shaking nerves. Too much coffee, too many nerves.
When not to use
Avoid in formal academic, legal, or diplomatic writing where precise technical terminology is required.
Fun facts
- During WWII, the term 'jitterbug' was famously used by older generations to criticize energetic swing dancers!
Related words
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